OLDEN-JUST  WHER1 
I  - 


CHANCED 
NEAR  Am>SE  TO  GROW 


LITTLE=FOLK  LYRICS 

BY  FRANK  DEMPSTER  SHERMAN 


HOUOHTON  MIFFLIN   CO. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNIA 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LIBRARY 


LITTLE-FOLK 
LYRICS 

BY 

FRANK  DEMPSTER  SHERMAN 

WITH   ILLUSTRATIONS    BY 
MAUDE   AND   GENEVIEVE  COWLES 


SCHOOL  EDITION 


BOSTON       NEW  YORK       CHICAGO       SAN  FRANCISCO 

HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN  COMPANY 

tEfje  XUberfitbe  J3rcss  Cambridge 


149035 


COPYRIGHT,   1892,   1897,  BY  FRANK  DEMPSTER  SHBRMAN 
COPYRIGHT,    1897,   BY    HOUGHTON,   MIFFLIN    &   CO. 
COPYRIGHT,    1920,   BY  JULIET  DURAND  SHERMAN 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


mt  fctbtrstbt  *rt«« 

CAMBRIDGE  •  MASSACHUSETTS 
PRINTED  IN  THB  U.  S.  A. 


PS 


L75 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

TO  THE   LITTLE   READERS 15 

BLOSSOMS 17 

ANEMONE l8 

DAISIES '19 

SPRING'S  COMING 21 

GOLDEN-ROD 22 

JANUARY 23 

FEBRUARY 34 

.  MARCH 25 

^  APRIL 26 

MAY 29 

*                              JUNE 31 

e                 JULY 32 

l»  AUGUST 33 

SEPTEMBER 34 

f  OCTOBER 35 

NOVEMBER 37 

DECEMBER  . 38 

KING  BELL 40 

IN  THE  MEADOW 42 

FAIRY  JEWELS 44 

'  THE  FOUR  WINDS 45 

"*!                         HUMMING-BIRD  SONG 47 

P  PEEBLES 49 

IN  THE  ORCHARD 50 

A  REAL  SANTA  CLAUS 53 

ix 


CONTENTS 

CHERRIES 55 

FLYING    KITE 57 

KRISS    KRINGLE 59 

WIZARD   FROST 6l 

THE  JUGGLER 62 

A  FAIRY   STORY 63 

THE  SHADOWS 66 

HIDE-AND-SEEK 69 

THE  ARCHER ^\ 

A   FUNNY   FELLOW 72 

SPINNING   TOP 74 

SMILES   AND   TEARS 75 

THE   CANARY 77 

CLOUDS 79 

LEAVES  AT   PLAY 8l 

SHADOW   PICTURES 82 

GHOST   FAIRIES 84 

SONG   FOR   WINTER 88 

A   DEWDROP 90 

JESTER    BEE 91 

SNOWFLAKES 93 

DREAMS    .      ' 94 

MAY-CHILDREN 96 

ROBIN'S   APOLOGY 98 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  SUN 99 

SNOW  SONG 100 

THE    RAIN-HARP 104 

ELFIN    LAMPS Io6 

BIRD'S  MUSIC 107 

SHADOW  CHILDREN 109 

FAIRY  SHIPWRECK Ill 

BEES .  112 

THE  WATERFALL .  1 13 

LULLABY .  114 

WINTER'S  ACROBATS Il6 

X 


CONTENTS 

VACATION   SONG IlS 

THE  SNOW-BIRD I2O 

THE  FAIRIES'  DANCE 121 

THE  ROSE'S  CUP 123 

THE  SNOW-WEAVER 124 

THE  STORY-TELLER 126 

THE  RAINBOW 130 

THE  STORY  OF  OMAR 132 

THE  CHRISTMAS  CAT 13? 

xi 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


LULLABY  (see  page  114) Frontispiece. 

DAISIES 19 

MAY 29 

OCTOBER 35 

THE   FOUR   WINDS 45 

IN   THE   ORCHARD JI 

FLYING   KITE 57 

THE  SHADOWS 66,  67 

SMILES   AND   TEARS 75 

GHOST   FAIRIES 8$ 

JESTER   BEE 9! 

SNOW  SONG 101 

BIRD   MUSIC 107 

THE   FAIRIES'    DANCE 121 

THE   CHRISTMAS   CAT 135 


TO  THE  LITTLE   READERS 

WHEN  I  was  young,  and  long  before 
The  Muse  came  tapping  at  my  door, 
What  curious  things  I  used  to  dream  ! 
How  very  true  they  all  did  seem  ! 
And  when  I  went  to  bed  at  night 
I  begged  my  mother  to  recite 
The  Tales  of  Once-upon-a-Time, 
All  written  down  in  simple  rhyme. 
How  eagerly  I  listened,  and 
How  far  I  went  in  Fairy-land  ! 
And  these  same  songs  she  sang  to  me 
Still  murmur  in  my  memory. 
For  me  she  made  the  world  anew,  — 
A  jewel  of  each  drop  of  dew ; 
The  autumn  leaves  of  golden  tint 
Were  coins  come  freshly  from  the  mint ; 
The  birds  were  poets  all,  who  sang ; 
The  flowers  were  bells  the  fairies  rang ; 
And  everything  I  saw  became 
Another,  with  another  name. 


,6  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

So,  little  folk,  these  verses  from 
The  rosary  of  childhood  come 
For  you  to  string  on  Fancy's  line, 
To  be  your  joy  as  they  were  mine,  — 
To  be  your  joy,  and  so  to  bless 
Your  hearts  with  song  and  happiness ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  17 


BLOSSOMS 

OUT  of  my  window  I  could  see 
But  yesterday,  upon  the  tree, 
The  blossoms  white,  like  tufts  of  snow 
That  had  forgotten  when  to  go. 

And  while  I  looked  out  at  them,  they 
Seemed  like  small  butterflies  at  play, 
For  in  the  breeze  their  flutterings 
Made  me  imagine  them  with  wings. 

I  must  have  fancied  well,  for  now 
There  's  not  a  blossom  on  the  bough, 
And  out  of  doors  't  is  raining  fast, 
And  gusts  of  wind  are  whistling  past. 

With  butterflies  't  is  etiquette 
To  keep  their  wings  from  getting  wet, 
So,  when  they  knew  the  storm  was  near, 
They  thought  it  best  to  disappear. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


ANEMONE 

A  SCULPTOR  is  the  Sun,  I  know, 
Whose  shining  marble  is  the  snow : 
All  through  the  winter,  day  by  day, 
He  with  his  golden  chisel-ray 
Toils  patiently  that  he  may  bring 
A  statue  forth  to  honor  Spring  ; 
And  when  she  comes,  behold  it  there, 
A  blossom  in  the  gentle  air,  — 
A  f  ^rm  of  gracious  symmetry,  — 
A  ffagile  white  anemone  1 


DAISIES 

AT  evening  when  I  go  to  bed 
I  see  the  stars  shine  overhead  ; 
They  are  the  little  daisies  white 
That  dot  the  meadow  of  the  Night. 

And  often  while  I  'm  dreaming  so, 
Across  the  sky  the  Moon  will  go  ; 
It  is  a  lady,  sweet  and  fair, 
Who  comes  to  gather  daisies  there. 

For,  when  at  morning  I  arise, 
There  's  not  a  star  left  in  the  skies ; 
She  's  picked  them  all  and  dropped 

them  aown 
Into  the  meadows  of  the  town. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SPRING'S   COMING 

THE  woodland  brooks  that  murmur  as  they 

go 
In   silver  ripples   through  the  fringing 

grass 
Are   harp-strings   touched  by   God :   the 

winds  that  blow 

Are  Spring's  gay  children,  singing  as 
they  pass. 

And  where  the  sod  is  trodden  by  their  feet, 
The  Earth,   all   gladdened   by  youth's 

warmer  blood, 
Puts    forth    her    fragile    urns    of    odors 

sweet  — 
The  violet  and  fragrant  crocus  bud. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


GOLDEN-ROD 

SPRING  is  the  morning  of  the  year, 
And  summer  is  the  noontide  bright ; 

The  autumn  is  the  evening  clear 

That  comes  before  the  winter's  night. 

And  in  the  evening,  everywhere 
Along  the  roadside,  up  and  down, 

I  see  the  golden  torches  flare 

Like  lighted  street-lamps  in  the  town. 

I  think  the  butterfly  and  bee, 

From  distant  meadows  coming  back, 

Are  quite  contented  when  they  see 

These  lamps  along  the  homeward  track 

But  those  who  stay  too  late  get  lost ; 

For  when  the  darkness  falls  about, 
Down  every  lighted  street  the  Frost 

Will  go  and  put  the  torches  out ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  23 


JANUARY 

JANUARY,  bleak  and  drear, 
First  arrival  of  the  year, 
Named  for  Janus,  —  Janus  who, 
Fable  says,  has  faces  two  ; 
Pray,  is  that  the  reason  why 
Yours  is  such  a  fickle  sky  ? 
First  you  smile,  and  to  us  bring 
Dreams  of  the  returning  spring ; 
Then,  without  a  sign,  you  frown, 
And  the  snowflakes  hurry  down, 
Making  all  the  landscape  white, 
Just  as  if  it  blanched  with  fright. 
You  obey  no  word  or  law ; 
Now  you  freeze,  and  then  you  thaw. 
Teasing  all  the  brooks  that  run 
With  the  hope  of  constant  sun, 
Chaining  all  their  feet  at  last 
Firm  in  icy  fetters  fast. 
Month  of  all  months  most  contrary, 
Sweet  and  bitter  January ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


FEBRUARY 

FEBRUARY,  —  fortnights  two,  — 
Briefest  of  the  months  are  you, 
Of  the  winter's  children  last. 
Why  do  you  go  by  so  fast  ? 
Is  it  not  a  little  strange 
Once  in  four  years  you  should  change, 
That  the  sun  should  shine  and  give 
You  another  day  to  live  ? 
May  be  this  is  only  done 
Since  you  are  the  smallest  one  ; 
So  I  make  the  shortest  rhyme 
For  you,  as  befits  your  time : 
You  're  the  baby  of  the  year, 
And  to  me  you  're  very  dear, 
Just  because  you  bring  the  li 
"  Will  you  be  my  Valentine  f 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


MARCH 

MARCH  !  and  all  the  winds  cry,  March  ! 
As  they  sweep  the  heavens'  arch, 
Polishing  the  stars  that  gem 
Earth's  resplendent  diadem, 
Setting  all  the  waters  free 
From  the  winter's  chancery, 
Sending  down  an  avalanche 
From  the  tree's  snow-covered  branch. 
March  makes  clear  the  frosty  track 
That  the  birds  may  hasten  back 
On  their  northward  flight  and  bring 
Jocund  carols  for  the  Spring. 
March  is  merry,  March  is  mad, 
March  is  gay,  and  March  is  sad ; 
Every  humor  we  may  know 
If  we  list  the  winds  that  blow. 
Have  you  heard  the  bugle-call 
Gathering  the  soldiers  all  ? 
March  is  Spring's  own  trumpeter, 
Hailing  us  to  welcome  her. 


LITTLE    FOLK  LYRICS 


APRIL 

OUTDOORS  the  white  rain  coming  down 
Made  rivers  of  the  streets  in  town, 
And  where  the  snow  in  patches  lay 
It  washed  the  Winter's  signs  away. 
How  fast  it  fell !     How  warm  it  felt ! 
The  icicles  began  to  melt : 
A  silver  needle  seemed  each  one 
Thrust  in  the  furnace  of  the  Sun  — 
The  Vulcan  Sun  who  forged  them  all, 
In  raindrops,  crystals  round  and  small 
The  air  was  filled  with  tiny  ropes 
On  which  were  strung  these  April  hopes,  — 
White    water-beads    that     searched     the 

ground 

Until  the  thirsty  seeds  were  found. 
Then   came   blue  sky ;  the   streets   were 

clean, 

And  in  the  garden  spots  of  green 
Were  glistening  in  golden  light,  — 
The  grass  —  and  Spring  —  almost  in  sight ! 
A  bluebird  sang  its  song  near  by ; 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 

Oh  !  happy  Spring  is  come,  thought  I ; 
When  all  at  once  the  air  grew  chill, 
Again  the  snow-flakes  fell  until 
The  ground  was  covered,  and  the  trees 
Stood  in  the  drifts  up  to  their  knees. 

I  think  this  bird  who  dared  to  sing 
Was  premature  about  the  Spring, 
Or  else  he  joked  in  manner  cool, 
And  caroled  lightly,  "  April  Fool  t " 


•BE 


MAY  shall  make  the  world  anew  ; 
Golden  sun  and  silver  dew, 
Money  minted  in  the  sky, 
Shall  the  earth's  new  garments  buy. 
May  shall  make  the  orchards  bloom 
And  the  blossoms'  fine  perfume 
Shall  set  all  the  honey-bees 
Murmuring  among  the  trees. 
May  shall  make  the  bud  appear 
Like  a  jewel,  crystal  clear, 
'Mid  the  leaves  upon  the  limb 
Where  the  robin  lilts  his  hymn. 
May  shall  make  the  wild-flowers  tell 
Where  the  shining  snowflakes  fell, 
Just  as  though  each  snowflake's  heart, 
By  some  secret,  magic  art, 
Were  transmuted  to  a  flower 
In  the  sunlight  and  the  shower. 
Is  there  such  another,  pray, 
Wonder-making  month  as  May  ? 


LITTLE-FOLK.  LYRICS 


JUNE 

O  JUNE  !  delicious  month  of  June, 

When  winds  and  birds  all  sing  in  tune ; 

When  in  the  meadows  swarm  the  bees 

And  hum  their  drowsy  melodies  ; 

O  June !  the  month  of  bluest  skies, 

Dear  to  the  pilgrim  butterflies, 

Who  seem  gay-colored  leaves  astray, 

Blown  down  the  amber  tides  of  day ; 

O  June  !  the  month  of  merry  song, 

Of  shadow  brief,  of  sunshine  long ; 

All  things  on  earth  love  you  the  best,  — . 

The  bird  who  carols  near  his  nest ; 

The  wind  that  wakes,  and,  singing,  blows 

The  spicy  perfume  of  the  rose ; 

And  bee,  who  sounds  his  muffled  horn 

To  celebrate  the  dewy  morn  ; 

And  even  all  the  stars  above 

At  night  are  happier  for  love, 

As  if  the  mellow  notes  of  mirth 

Were  wafted  to  them  from  the  earth. 

O  June !  such  music  haunts  your  name, 

With  you  the  summer's  chorus  came. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


JULY 

JULY,  for  you  the  songs  are  sung 
By  birds  the  leafy  trees  among ; 
With  merry  carolings  they  wake 
The  meadows  at  the  morning's  break, 
And  through  the  day  the  lisping  breeze 
Is  woven  with  their  tree-top  glees : 
For  you  the  prattling,  pebbly  brooks 
Are  full  of  tales  like  story-books : 
For  you  a  fragrant  incense  burns 
Within  the  garden's  blossom  urns, 
Which  tempts  the  bees  to  hasten  home 
With  honey  for  their  honeycomb. 
The  river,  like  a  looking-glass, 
Reflects  the  fleecy  clouds  that  pass/ 
Until  it  makes  us  almost  doubt 
If  earth  and  sky  are  n't  changed  about. 
July,  for  you,  in  silence  deep, 
The  world  seems  fallen  fast  asleep, 
Save  on  one  glorious  holiday, 
When  all  our  books  we  put  away, 
And  every  little  maid  and  man 
Is  proud  to  be  American. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  33 


AUGUST 

AUGUST,  month  when  Summer  lies 
Sleeping  under  sapphire  skies. 
Open  all  the  windows  wide, 
Drink  the  orchard's  fragrant  tide,  — 
Breath  of  grass  at  morning  mown 
Through  the  leafy  vistas  blown  ; 
Hear  the  swishing  of  the  scythe, 
Sound  mellifluent  and  blithe  : 
August,  month  when  everywhere 
Music  floats  upon  the  air 
From  the  harp  of  minstrel  gales, 
Playing  down  the  hills  and  dales  : 
August,  month  when  sleepy  cows 
Seek  the  shade  of  spreading  boughs, 
Where  the  birds  alight  to  sing 
And  the  fruit  hangs  ripening  : 
August,  month  of  twilights,  when 
Day  half  goes,  and  comes  again  ; 
August  days  are  guards  who  keep 
Watch  while  Summer  lies  asleep. 


54  LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


SEPTEMBER 

HERE  's  a  lyric  for  September, 
Best  of  all  months  to  remember ; 
Month  when  summer  breezes  tell 
What  has  happened  wood  and  dell, 
Of  the  joy  the  year  has  brought, 
And  the  changes  she  has  wrought. 
She  has  turned  the  verdure  red  ; 
In  the  blue  sky  overhead, 
She  the  harvest  moon  has  hung, 
Like  a  silver  boat  among 
Shoals  of  stars,  —  bright  jewels  set 
In  the  earth's  blue  coronet ; 
She  has  brought  the  orchard's  fruit 
To  repay  the  robin's  flute 
Which  has  gladdened  half  the  year 
With  a  music,  liquid  clear  ; 
And  she  makes  the  meadow  grass 
Catch  the  sunbeams  as  they  pass, 
Till  the  autumn's  floor  is  rolled 
With  a  fragrant  cloth  of  gold. 


CCOBIH 


OCTOBER  is  the  month  that  seems 
All  woven  with  midsummer  dreams ; 
She  brings  for  us  the  golden  days 
That  fill  the  air  with  smoky  haze  ; 
She  brings  for  us  the  lisping  breeze, 
And  wakes  the  gossips  in  the  trees, 
Who  whisper  near  the  vacant  nest 
Forsaken  by  its  feathered  guest. 
Now  half  the  birds  forget  to  sing, 
And  half  of  them  have  taken  wing, 
Before  their  pathway  shall  be  lost 
Beneath  the  gossamer  of  frost. 
Now  one  by  one  the  gay  leaves  fly 
Zigzag  across  the  yellow  sky  ; 
They  rustle  here  and  flutter  there, 
Until  the  bough  hangs  chill  and  bare. 
What  joy  for  us  —  what  happiness 
Shall  cheer  the  day,  the  night  shall 

bless  ? 

'T  is  Hallowe'en,  the  very  last 
Shall  keep  for  us  remembrance  fast, 
When  every  child  shall  duck  the  head 
To  find  the  precious  pippin  red. 


s 


M.CowLe, 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS  37 


NOVEMBER 

WHO  shall  sing  to  bleak  November, 
Month  of  frost  and  glowing  ember  ? 
Is  there  nothing  then  to  praise 
In  these  thirty  chilly  days  ? 
Ah,  but  who  shall  lack  for  song 
When  the  nights  are  still  and  long ; 
When  beside  the  logwood  fire 
We  may  hear  the  wood-elves'  choir, 
Making  dainty  music  float 
Up  the  big,  brick  chimney's  throat ; 
When  within  the  flames  and  smoke 
We  may  see  the  fairy  folk, 
Coming  hither,  going  thither, 
Vanishing,  we  know  not  whither,  — 
Or,  perhaps  they  all  depart 
To  the  forest's  frozen  heart, 
There  to  tell  the  barren  trees 
Of  the  fireside's  mysteries,  — 
How  they  saw  some  other  elves 
Just  as  funny  as  themselves  ! 


149035 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


DECEMBER 

DECEMBER  's  come,  and  with  her  brought 
A  world  in  whitest  marble  wrought ; 
The  trees  and  fence  and  all  the  posts 
Stand  motionless  and  white  as  ghosts, 
And  all  the  paths  we  used  to  know 
Are  hidden  in  the  drifts  of  snow. 
December  brings  the  longest  night, 
And  cheats  the  day  of  half  its  light. 
No  song-bird  breaks  the  perfect  hush  ; 
No  meadow-brook  with  liquid  gush 
Runs  telling  tales  in  babbling  rhyme 
Of  liberty  and  summer  time, 
But  frozen  in  its  icy  cell 
Awaits  the  sun  to  break  the  spell. 
Breathe  once  upon  the  window  glass, 
And  see  the  mimic  mists  that  pass,  — 
Fantastic  shapes  that  go  and  come 
Forever  silvery  and  dumb. 

December  Santa  Claus  shall  bring,  — 
Of  happy  children  happy  king,  — 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  39 

Who  with  his  sleigh  and  reindeer  stops 
At  all  good  people's  chimney  tops. 

Then  let  the  holly  red  be  hung, 

And  all  the  sweetest  carols  sung, 

While  we  with  joy  remember  them  — 

The  journeyers  to  Bethlehem, 

Who  followed,  trusting  from  afar 

The  guidance  of  that  happy  star 

Which  marked  the  spot  where  Christ  was 

born 
Long  years  ago,  one  Christmas  morn ! 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


KING  BELL 

LONG  years  ago  there  lived  a  King, 

A  mighty  man  and  bold, 
Who  had  two  sons,  named  Dong  and  Ding; 

Of  whom  this  tale  is  told. 

Prince  Ding  was  clear  of  voice,  and  tall, 

A  Prince  in  every  line ; 
Prince  Dong,  his  voice  was  very  small, 

And  he  but  four  feet  nine. 

Now  both  these  sons  were  very  dear 

To  Bell,  the  mighty  King. 
They  always  hastened  to  appear 

When  he  for  them  would  ring. 

Ding  never  failed  the  first  to  be, 

But  Dong,  he  followed  well, 
And  at  the  second  summons  he 

Responded  to  King  Bell. 

This  promptness  of  each  royal  Prince 
Is  all  of  them  we  know, 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 

Except  that  all  their  kindred  since 
Have  done  exactly  so. 

And  if  you  chance  to  know  a  King 

Like  this  one  of  the  song, 
Just  listen  once  —  and  there  is  Ding ; 

Again  —  and  there  is  Dong. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


IN  THE   MEADOW 

THE  meadow  is  a  battle-field 

Where  Summer's  army  comes, 
Each  soldier  with  a  clover  shield, 
The  honey-bees  with  drums. 

Boom,  rat-ta  !  they  march,  and  pass 

The  captain  tree  who  stands 

Saluting  with  a  sword  of  grass 

And  giving  them  commands. 

T  is  only  when  the  breezes  blow 

Across  the  woody  hills, 
They  shoulder  arms,  and,  to  and  fro, 
March  in  their  full-dress  drills. 
Boom,  rat-ta  !  they  wheel  in  line 

And  wave  their  gleaming  spears ; 
"  Charge !  "   cries  the  captain,   giving 

sign, 
And  every  soldier  cheers. 

But  when  the  day  is  growing  dim 
They  gather  in  their  camps 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

And  sing  a  good  thanksgiving  hymn 
Around  the  firefly  lamps. 
Rat-tat-ta !  the  bugle-notes 

Call  "  good-night  "  to  the  sky : 
I  hope  they  all  have  overcoats 
To  keep  them  warm  and  dry. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


FAIRY  JEWELS 

0  WHITE  moon  sailing  down  the  sky, 

1  watch  you  when  in  bed  I  lie ; 

I  watch  you  on  the  calm,  blue  deep, 

And  dream  of  you  when  fast  asleep. 

I  fancy  as  I  see  you  float 

That  you  are  some  good  fairy's  boat, 

And  winds  that  in  my  windows  blow 

Are  the  same  winds  that  make  you  go ; 

Each  star  that  shines  for  me  so  bright 

For  you  is  just  a  beacon  light. 

I  half  believe  that  it  is  you 

Who  bring  to  us  the  morning  dew,  — > 

Each  drop  is  so  much  like  a  gem, 

I  think  the  fairy  gathers  them, 

And  leaning  over  as  you  pass 

Lets  millions  fall  upon  the  grass, 


IN  winter,  when  the  wind  I  hear 
I  know  the  clouds  will  disappear ; 
For  't  is  the  wind  who  sweeps  the  sky 
And  piles  the  snow  in  ridges  high. 


In  spring,  when  stirs  the  wind,  I  know 
That  soon  the  crocus  buds  will  show  ; 
For  't  is  the  wind  who  bids  them  wake 
And  into  pretty  blossoms  break. 

In  summer  when  it  softly  blows, 
Soon  red  I  know  will  be  the  rose, 
For  't  is  the  wind  to  her  who  speaks, 
And  brings  the  blushes  to  her  cheeks. 


In  autumn,  when  the  wind  is  up, 
I  know  the  acorn  's  out  its  cup  ; 
For  't  is  the  wind  who  takes  it  out, 
And  plants  an  oak  somewhere  about. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


HUMMING-BIRD   SONG 

HUMMING-BIRD, 
Not  a  word 

Do  you  say ; 
Has  your  throat 
No  sweet  note 

To  repay 
Honey  debts 
It  begets 

When  you  go 
On  the  wing 
Pilfering 

To  and  fro  ? 

May  be  you 
Whisper  to 

Bloom  and  leaf 
On  the  vine 
Secrets  fine 

In  your  brief 
Calls  on  them, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

Winged  gem. 

Not  a  word 
You  reply ! 
Off  you  fly, 

Humming-bird ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


PEBBLES 

OUT  of  a  pellucid  brook 
Pebbles  round  and  smooth  I  took : 
Like  a  jewel,  every  one 
Caught  a  color  from  the  sun,  — 
Ruby  red  and  sapphire  blue, 
Emerald  and  onyx  too, 
Diamond  and  amethyst,  — 
Not  a  precious  stone  I  missed  : 
Gems  I  held  from  every  land 
In  the  hollow  of  my  hand. 
Workman  Water  these  had  made ; 
Patiently  through  sun  and  shade, 
With  the  ripples  of  the  rill 
He  had  polished  them  until, 
Smooth,  symmetrical  and  bright, 
Each  one  sparkling  in  the  light 
Showed  within  its  burning  heart 
All  the  lapidary's  art  ; 
And  the  brook  seemed  thus  to  sing : 
Patience  conquers  everything  I 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


IN  THE  ORCHARD 

0  ROBIN  in  the  cherry-tree, 

1  hear  you  ca"roling  your  glee. 

The  platform  where  you  lightly  tread 
Is  lighted  up  with  cherries  red, 
And  there  you  sing  among  the  boughs, 
Like  Patti  at  the  opera-house. 

Who  is  the  hero  in  your  play 
To  whom  you  sing  in  such  a  way  ? 
And  why  are  you  so  gayly  dressed, 
With  scarlet  ribbons  on  your  breast  ? 
And  is  your  lover  good  and  true  ? 
And  does  he  always  sing  to  you  ? 

Your  orchestra  are  winds  that  blow 
Their  blossom  notes  to  me  below, 
And  all  the  trembling  leaves  are  throngs 
Of  people  clapping  for  your  songs. 
I  wonder  if  you  like  it  when 
I  clap  for  you  to  sing  again. 


Itttgc  cfjerrp 

-  tree, 

,|jjear  j)0u 
caroling 

your  glee, 


Like  patti  at  t$? 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  53 


A  REAL  SANTA  CLAUS 

SANTA   CLAUS,  I  hang  for  you, 
By  the  mantel,  stockings  two  : 
One  for  me  and  one  to  go 
To  another  boy  I  know. 

There  's  a  chimney  in  the  town 
You  have  never  traveled  down. 
Should  you  chance  to  enter  there 
You  would  find  a  room  all  bare : 
Not  a  stocking  could  you  spy, 
Matters  not  how  you  might  try  ; 
And  the  shoes,  you  'd  find  are  such 
As  no  boy  would  care  for  much. 
In  a  broken  bed  you  'd  see 
Some  one  j  ust  about  like  me, 
Dreaming  of  the  pretty  toys 
Which  you  bring  to  other  boys, 
And  to  him  a  Christmas  seems 
Merry  only  in  his  dreams. 


54  LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 

All  he  dreams  then,  Santa  Claus, 
Stuff  the  stocking  with,  because 
When  it 's  filled  up  to  the  brim 
I  'II  be  Santa  Claus  to  him  1 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  55 


CHERRIES 

APRIL  brought  the  blossoms  out, 
May  winds  scattered  them  about, 
Till  the  grassy  floor  below 
Whitened  with  their  fragrant  snow; 
Then  came  June  with  golden  sun, 
Of  all  months  the  fairest  one, 
Smiling  on  the  trees  and  brooks 
Like  a  child  with  picture-books. 

In  the  green  leaves  overhead 
Little  lights  were  burning  red  ; 
Looking  up,  it  seemed  that  I 
Saw  the  stars  in  fairy  sky 
Glistening  the  leaves  among, 
Lanterns  by  the  pixies  hung  ; 
But  I  heard  a  song-bird  pipe 
Cherry  ripe !  "  and  "  Cherry  ripe !  * 

He  who  sings  of  cherries  best 
Wears  their  colors  on  his  breast ; 
He  their  poet  is,  and  he 


56  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

Makes  his  dwelling  in  their  tree. 
'T  is  not  strange  his  song  is  sweet ; 
Think  —  the  cherries  he  can  eat ! 
Busy  with  his  feathered  wits 
He  makes  bare  the  cherry  pits. 

Bring  the  basket,  little  maid  ; 
Let  us  lend  Sir  Robin  aid. 
I  will  climb  among  the  boughs 
Where  he  has  his  tiny  house, 
And  if  I  can  find  him  there 
I  will  ask  him  please  to  spare 
Of  his  tempting  cherry  feast 
One  small  basketful  at  least. 

I  will  tell  him  how  in  spring 
When  you  first  had  heard  him  sing, 
All  upon  the  garden  ground 
You  the  bread-crumbs  threw  around 
Then,  if  he 's  the  bird  I  think, 
He  will  answer  in  a  wink, 
u  Certainly  :  I  'd  help  you  pick, 
If  their  stems  were  not  so  thick  1 " 


FLYING   KITE 

I  OFTEN  sit  and  wish  that  1 
Could  be  a  kite  up  in  the  sky, 
And  ride  upon  the  breeze,  and  go 
Whatever  way  it  chanced  to  blow. 
Then  I  could  look  beyond  the  town 
And  see  the  river  winding  down, 
And  follow  all  the  ships  that  sail 
Like  me  before  the  merry  gale, 
Until  at  last  with  them  I  came 
To  some  place  with  a  foreign  name. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  59 


KRISS  KRINGLE 

AWAY  with  melancholy ! 

This  day  is  for  delight ; 
When  mistletoe  and  holly 

In  wreaths  and  garlands  bright 
Are  hung  above  the  ingle, 
And  joyous  voices  mingle 
To  welcome  in  Kriss  Kringle, 

Who  comes  clad  all  in  white ! 

Green  spray  and  crimson  berry 

A  crown  for  him  shall  be ; 
Gay  catch  and  carol  merry 

Shall  fill  his  heart  with  glee, 
Shall  match  his  sleigh-bells'  jingle 
And  warm  his  ears  a-tingle,  — 
A  greeting  to  Kriss  Kringle, 
The  Christmas  Fairy  he  ! 

Within  his  sleigh  he  carries 
The  presents  high  up-piled  ; 

Not  long  with  us  he  tarries, 
By  leaf  and  song  beguiled. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

God-speed,  down  dale  and  dingle, 
May  there  not  be  a  single 
Forgotten  one,  Kriss  Kringle ; 
But  gifts  for  every  child  1 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


WIZARD   FROST 

WONDROUS  things  have  come  to  pass 
On  my  square  of  window-glass. 
Looking  in  it  I  have  seen 
Grass  no  longer  painted  green, 
Trees  whose  branches  never  stir, 
Skies  without  a  cloud  to  blur, 
Birds  below  them  sailing  high, 
Church-spires  pointing  to  the  sky, 
And  a  funny  little  town 
Where  the  people,  up  and  down 
Streets  of  silver,  to  me  seem 
Like  the  people  in  a  dream, 
Dressed  in  finest  kinds  of  lace : 
*T  is  a  picture,  on  a  space 
Scarcely  larger  than  the  hand, 
Of  a  tiny  Switzerland, 
Which  the  wizard  Frost  has  drawn 
'Twixt  the  nightfall  and  the  dawn. 
Quick !  and  see  what  he  has  done 
Ere  't  is  stolen  by  the  Sun. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE  JUGGLER 

FROM  these  downy  flakes  of  snow 
Winter  scatters  everywhere, 

Fragrant  violets  shall  grow 
In  the  springtime's  balmy  air. 

Every  snowdrop  on  the  numb 

Branches  of  the  barren  tree 
Shall  a  ruby  bud  become 

When  the  warm  sun  sets  it  free. 

And  the  icicles  that  shine 
Dagger-like  and  crystal-clear 

In  the  fingers  of  the  vine, 

Trembling  leaves  shall  then  appear. 

We  shall  know  when  comes  this  strange 
Juggler  April,  who  shall  bring 

Out  of  snow-drifts,  "Presto,  change  !" 
Birds  and  blossoms  of  the  spring  1 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  63 


A  FAIRY   STORY 

THIS  is  what  a  fairy  heard ; 

Listening  beside  a  stream,  — 
Water  talking  in  its  dream. 

That  is  what  I  call  absurd. 

This  is  what  the  water  said  : 

When  I  grow  up  big,  I'll  be 
Like  the  river  or  the  sea. 

And  the  fairy  shook  her  head. 

Then  she  went  upon  her  way 

Far  across  the  hills  and  vales 
And  she  heard  so  many  tales 

She  forgot  the  dream  one  day. 

But,  at  last,  spread  out  to  view, 

Lay  the  ocean  :  then,  once  more, 
She  heard  water  on  the  shore 

Whisper :    /  remember  you. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

Once  I  was  a  tiny  drop 

Dreaming  in  a  meadow-brook. 

I  was  little  then  ;  but  look,  — • 
Now  I  've  grown  enough  to  stop  / 


THE   SHADOWS 

ALL  up  and  down  in  shadow-town 
The  shadow  children  go  ; 

In  every  street  you  're  sure  to  meet 
Them  running  to  and  fro. 

They  move  around  without  a  sound. 

They  play  at  hide-and-seek, 
But  no  one  yet  that  I  have  met 

Has  ever  heard  them  speak. 

Beneath  the  tree  you  often  see 
Them  dancing  in  and  out, 

And  in  the  sun  there  's  always  one 
To  follow  you  about. 


owt.es. 


— — 


Go  where  you  will,  he  follows  still, 

Or  sometimes  runs  before, 
And,  home  at  last,  you  '11  find  him  fast 

Beside  you  at  the  door. 

A  faithful  friend  is  he  to  lend 

His  presence  everywhere ; 
Blow  out  the  light  —  to  bed  at  night  — 

Your  shadow-mate  is  there ! 

Then  he  will  call  the  shadows  all 

Into  your  room  to  leap, 
And  such  a  pack  !  they  make  it  black, 

And  fill  your  eyes  with  sleep  ! 


G.Co  WLGS 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


HIDE-AND-SEEK 

Now  hide  the  flowers  beneath  the  snow, 
And  Winter  shall  not  find  them  ; 

Their  safety  nooks  he  cannot  know : 
They  left  no  tracks  behind  them. 

The  little  brooks  keep  very  still, 
Safe  in  their  ice-homes  lying ; 

Let  Winter  seek  them  where  he  will, 
There 's  no  chance  for  his  spying. 

Gone  are  the  birds :  they  're  hiding  where 

The  Winter  never  searches  ; 
Safe  in  the  balmy  Southern  air, 

They  sing  on  sunlit  perches. 

But  comes  the  Spring  at  last  to  look 
For  all  her  playmates  hidden, 

And    one    by    one  —  flower,    bird,    and 

brook  — 
Shall  from  its  place  be  bidden- 


70  LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 

Then  shall  the  world  be  glad  and  gay, 
The  birds  begin  their  chorus, 

The  brooks  sing,  too,  along  their  way, 
And  flowers  spring  up  before  us  1 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


THE   ARCHER 

His  home  is  yonder  in  the  sky ; 

There,  when  the  chase  is  o'er, 
He  hangs  his  gorgeous  bow  on  high 

Above  the  open  door. 

And  sitting  down  he  looks  around 
The  green  fields  wide  and  far, 

Where  prostrate  lying  on  the  ground 
His  many  victims  are. 

Strong  is  his  arm,  he  knows  it  well, 

And  sure  his  steady  aim  ; 
For  him  the  missing  arrows  tell 

The  number  of  the  game. 

Come  out,  come  out !  the  hunt  is  done ; 

No  danger  shall  we  know  ; 
For  yonder  see  beneath  the  sun 

His  promise  and  his  bow  1 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


A  FUNNY  FELLOW 

THERE  is  a  funny  fellow 
Who  goes  by  every  day  : 

When  sad,  his  voice  is  mellow, 
But  shrill  when  he  is  gay. 

Despite  of  my  endeavor 

To  see  him,  though  we  've  met 
I  must  confess  I  never 

Have  seen  his  features  yer. 

I  know  he  pulls  the  thistles 
That  grow  along  the  lane, 

And  pricks  himself,  and  whistles 
To  drive  away  the  pain. 

And  when  the  snow  is  falling 

So  fast  I  may  not  see, 
I  often  hear  him  calling 

Across  the  fields  to  me. 

He  certainly  is  funny, 
For,  when  I  can  go  out, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  73 

If  it  is  warm  and  sunny 
He  seldom  is  about. 


He  sings  to  me,  and  makes  me 
A  sleepy  child  at  night ; 

He  sings  again,  and  wakes  me, 
At  early  morning  bright. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SPINNING  TOP 

WHEN  I  spin  round  without  a  stop 
And  keep  my  balance  like  the  top, 
I  find  that  soon  the  floor  will  swim 
Before  my  eyes ;  and  then,  like  him, 
I  lie  all  dizzy  on  the  floor 
Until  I  feel  like  spinning  more. 


SMILES  AND  TEARS 

I  SMILE,  and  then  the  Sun  comes  out ; 
He  hides  away  whene'er  I  pout ; 
He  seems  a  very  funny  sun 
To  do  whatever  he  sees  done. 

And  when  it  rains  he  disappears ; 
Like  me,  he  can't  see  through  the  tears. 
Now  is  n't  that  the  reason  why 
I  ought  to  smile  and  never  cry  ? 

In  more  than  this  is  he  like  me  ; 
For  every  evening  after  tea 
He  closes  up  his  eyelids  tight, 
And  opens  them  at  morning's  light. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  77 


THE   CANARY 

UP  in  your  cage  of  gold, 

Singing  us  all  awake, 
What,  if  it  might  be  told, 

What  is  the  wish  you  'd  make  ? 

Is  it,  "  I  'd  like  to  be 

Out  in  the  open  air, 
Out  of  this  cage,  and  free, 

Free  to  go  anywhere  ? " 

You  're  such  a  happy  bird, 

Caroling  all  day  long, 
Nobody  ever  heard 

You  sing  a  solemn  song. 

So  I  have  come  to  think 

This  is  your  carol  sweet : 
"  Plenty  have  I  to  drink, 
Plenty  have  I  to  eat ; 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

"  So  I  'm  content  to  stay 

Here  in  my  golden  ring; 
Nothing  to  do  all  day, 
Only  to  eat  and  sing." 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


CLOUDS 

THE  sky  is  full  of  clouds  to-day, 

And  idly,  to  and  fro,  i 

Like  sheep  across  the  pasture,  they 

Across  the  heavens  go. 
I  hear  the  wind  with  merry  noise 

Around  the  housetops  sweep, 
And  dream  it  is  the  shepherd  boys,  — 

They  're  driving  home  their  sheep. 

The  clouds  move  faster  now  ;  and  see  I 

The  west  is  red  and  gold. 
Each  sheep  seems  hastening  to  be 

The  first  within  the  fold. 
I  watch  them  hurry  on  until 

The  blue  is  clear  and  deep, 
And  dream  that  far  beyond  the  hill 

The  shepherds  fold  their  sheep. 

Then  in  the  sky  the  trembling  stars 
Like  little  flowers  shine  out, 

While  Night  puts  up  the  shadow  bars, 
And  darkness  falls  about. 


80  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

I  hear  the  shepherd  wind's  good-night  — • 
"  Good-night,  and  happy  sleep  !  "  — 

And  dream  that  in  the  east,  all  white, 
Slumber  the  clouds,  the  sheep. 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


LEAVES  AT  PLAY 

SCAMPER,  little  leaves,  about 

In  the  autumn  sun  ; 
I  can  hear  the  old  Wind  shout, 

Laughing  as  you  run, 
And  I  have  n't  any  doubt 

That  he  likes  the  fun. 

When  you  've  run  a  month  or  so, 
Very  tired  you  '11  get ; 

But  the  same  old  Wind,  I  know, 
Will  be  laughing  yet 

When  he  tucks  you  in  your  snow- 
Downy  coverlet. 

So,  run  on  and  have  your  play, 
Romp  with  all  your  might ; 

Dance  across  the  autumn  day, 
While  the  sun  is  bright. 

Soon  you  '11  hear  the  old  Wind  say, 
"  Little  leaves,  Good-night ! " 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SHADOW  PICTURES 

IN  the  day  cr  night, 
When  the  lamps  are  bright, 

Far  up  in  the  sky's  blue  dome, 
Every  kind  of  tree 
Is  a  child  like  me, 

Amusing  himself  at  home. 

On  the  ground  below 
In  the  brilliant  glow 

Of  stars,  or  of  moon  or  sun, 
There  the  shadows  fall 
On  the  grassy  wall, 

And  over  the  garden  run. 

There  are  cats  and  kings, 
There  are  birds  with  wings, 

And  curious  kinds  of  men ; 
And  they  dance  and  play 
In  a  funny  way, 

And  vanish,  and  come  again. 


GnosT 


HEN  -TTIE  -opcw  -FiEE-i5  - 
IN  -TTIE:  -cv&wiwp  -nrrEK 

-i  -LIKE  -TO  -COME  -/wo  - 

-me:  -FIRE  -C/IN  -TALK 
TO  -MC. 

-sroFies  -IT  -CAN  .TELL,, 
or  -n  •  roKgof  reN 

Or  -THE  -FAiRy  -gn05X5  •  TMAT 
IK  -TME  -nATCiENr  •  CttiMNEV  •  fTAOE  w 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  Sj 

Oh,  I  wish  I  knew 
How  their  fingers  do 

Such  tricks  with  the  shadows  dark ; 
Then  I  'd  make  the  birds 
And  the  beasts  in  herds, 

To  go  in  a  shadow  ark. 

And  the  flood  should  come, 
As  it  once  did,  from 

The  lamp  on  the  parlor  shelf ; 
And  my  shadow  boat 
On  the  wall  should  float, 

And  Noah  should  be  myself. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


GHOST  FAIRIES 

WHEN  the  open  fire  is  lit, 
In  the  evening  after  tea, 

Then  I  like  to  come  and  sit 
Where  the  fire  can  talk  to  ma 

Fairy  stories  it  can  tell, 
Tales  of  a  forgotten  race,  — 

Of  the  fairy  ghosts  that  dwell 
In  the  ancient  chimney  place. 

They  are  quite  the  strangest  folk 

Anybody  ever  knew, 
Shapes  of  shadow  and  of  smoke 

Living  in  the  chimney  flue. 

"Once,"  the  fire  said,  "long  ago, 

With  the  wind  they  used  to  rove, 
Gipsy  fairies,  to  and  fro, 

Camping  in  the  field  and  grove, 

"  Hither  with  the  trees  they  came 
Hidden  in  the  logs  ;  and  here, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  87 

Hovering  above  the  flame, 
Often  some  of  them  appear." 

So  I  watch,  and,  sure  enough, 
I  can  see  the  fairies  !    Then, 

Suddenly  there  comes  a  puff — 
Whish ! — and  they  are  gone  again ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SONG  FOR  WINTER 

Now  winter  fills  the  world  with  snow, 

Wild  winds  across  the  country  blow, 

And  all  the  trees,  with  branches  bare, 

Like  beggars  shiver  in  the  air. 

Oh,  now  hurrah  for  sleds  and  skates ! 

A  polar  expedition  waits 

When  school  is  done  each  day  for  me— » 

Off  for  the  ice-bound  arctic  sea. 

The  ice  is  strong  upon  the  creek, 
The  wind  has  roses  for  the  cheek, 
The  snow  is  knee-deep  all  around, 
And  earth  with  clear  blue  sky  is  crowned 
Then  come,  and  we  may  find  the  hut 
Wherein  the  Esquimau  is  shut, 
Or  see  the  polar  bear  whose  fur 
Makes  fun  of  the  thermometer. 

Let  us  who  want  our  muscles  tough 
Forsake  the  tippet  and  the  muff. 
The  keen  fresh  wind  will  do  no  harm, 
The  leaping  blood  shall  keep  us  warm, 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS  8c 

A  spin  upon  our  arctic  main 

Shall  drive  the  clouds  from  out  the  brain, 

And  for  our  studies  we  at  night 

Shall  have  a  better  appetite. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


A  DEWDROP 

LITTLE  drop  of  dew, 
Like  a  gem  you  are ; 

I  believe  that  you 

Must  have  been  a  star. 

When  the  day  is  bright, 
On  the  grass  you  lie ; 

Tell  me  then,  at  night 
Are  you  in  the  sky  ? 


?TSL 


JESTER   BEE 

THE  garden  is  a  royal  court 

Whose  jester  is  the  bee, 
And  with  his  wit  and  merry  sport 

He  fills  the  place  with  glee. 

He  sings  love  ditties  to  the  Rose 
Who  is  the  queen  of  all  ; 

To  princess  Lily  up  he  goes 
And  whispers  she  is  tall ; 

He  pulls  prince  Pansy  by  the  ear  ; 

He  does  all  sorts  of  things 
That  are  ridiculous  and  queer  — 

But  all  the  while  he  sings. 

He  does  not  seem  to  think  it  wrong 

Such  liberties  to  take  ; 
And  they  who  love  his  happy  song 

Forgive  him  for  its  sake. 

And  when  at  last  the  royal  clown 
Takes  off  his  jester's  mask, 

He  seriously  sits  him  down 
Before  his  honey  task. 

Then  to  himself  he  sings  away, 
And  here  's  the  burden  true  : 

'  Oh,  sweet  are  all  my  hours  of  play, 
And  sweet  my  honey,  too  !  " 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  93 


SNOWFLAKES 

OUT  of  the  sky  they  come 
Wandering  down  the'  air,  — • 

Some  to  the  roofs  and  some 
Whiten  the  branches  bare ; 

Some  in  the  empty  nest, 
Some  on  the  ground  below, 

Until  the  world  is  dressed 
All  in  a  gown  of  snow. 

Dressed  in  a  fleecy  gown 
Out  of  the  snowflakes  spun ; 

Wearing  a  golden  crown,  — 
Over  her  head  the  sun. 

Out  of  the  sky  again 

Ghosts  of  the  flowers  that  died 
Visit  the  earth,  and  then 

Under  the  white  drifts  hide. 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


DREAMS 

WHO  can  tell  us  whence  they  come, 

What  mysterious  region  from  ? 

In  what  fairy  country  lies 

That  strange  city  of  surprise, 

Whither  we  in  slumber  go 

By  a  path  we  do  not  know  ? 

Is  it  near  or  far  away  ? 

And  the  people,  who  are  they  ? 

Once  when  I  was  there,  the  town 
Seemed  entirely  upside  down  : 
Roofs  of  barns  and  houses  stood 
Where  the  stone  foundations  should, 
And  the  streets  all  seemed  to  run 
Straight  as  arrows  to  the  sun 
Where,  like  ribbons,  they  were  wound 
Its  great,  golden  spool  around. 

All  the  men  and  horses  there, 
Topsy-turvy  in  the  air, 
Walked  and  trotted  on  the  blue 
Pavements  of  the  avenue. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

But  at  morning  when  I  woke, 
I  discovered  't  was  a  joke, 
For  the  first  thing  I  found  out 
Was  that  I  had  turned  about. 

How  to  go  there,  who  can  tell, 
Where  these  fairy  people  dwell  ? 
Strange  it  is  that  morning's  light 
Cannot  show  the  path  of  night ; 
Stranger  yet  that  we  can  keep 
It  so  surely  in  our  sleep ; 
But  the  very  strangest  seems 
Being  wide-awake  in  dreams. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


MAY-CHILDREN 

CAPTIVES  to  winter's  cruel  king, 
In  gloomy  dungeons  cast 

The  merry  children  of  the  spring 
Lay  bound  in  fetters  fast 

They  heard  the  wind,  their  surly  guard, 
His  angry  summons  roar, 

And  trembled  when  the  sleet  fell  hard 
Against  their  prison  door. 

The  wild  flower  whispered  to  the  grass, 
"  What  hope  have  we  to  live  ? " 

But  answer  none  made  he.     Alas ! 
He  had  no  hope  to  give. 

So  in  the  darkness  sad  they  wept, 

Nor  any  comfort  won, 
Save  when  into  their  sleep  there  crept 

Dreams  of  the  gentle  sun. 

But  once  while  they  were  dreaming  so, 
Came  April's  soldier  rains, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  97 

Who  burst  their  prison  bars  of  snow, 
And  freed  them  of  their  chains. 

Then  forth  they  went  into  the  world, 
Spring's  children  bright  and  gay, 

And  to  the  fragrant  breeze  unfurled 
Their  banner  blooms  of  May. 


98  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


ROBIN'S  APOLOGY 

ONE  morning  in  the  garden 
I  heard  the  robin's  song : 
"  I  really  beg  your  pardon 
For  tarrying  so  long ; 

"  And  this  is  just  the  reason,  — 

Whatever  way  I  flew, 
I  met  a  backward  season, 
Which  kept  me  backward  too.1 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  99 


SOLDIERS   OF  THE   SUN 

ALONG  the  margin  of  the  world 

They   march   with   their   bright    banners 

furled, 

Until,  in  line  of  battle  drawn, 
They  reach  the  boundaries  of  dawn. 
They  cross  the  seas  and  rivers  deep, 
They  climb  the  mountains  high  and  steep, 
And  hurry  on  until  in  sight 
Of  their  black  enemy,  the  Night ; 
Then  madly  rush  into  the  fray 
The  armies  of  the  Night  and  Day. 
Swiftly  the  shining  arrows  go  ; 
The  bugling  winds  their  warnings  blow. 
Strive  as  he  will,  the  Night  is  pressed 
Farther  and  farther  down  the  west. 
With  golden  spear  and  gleaming  lance 
The  cohorts  of  the  Day  advance, 
Until  the  victory  is  won 
By  his  brave  Soldiers  of  the  Sun. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SNOW  SONG 

OVER  valley,  over  hill, 
Hark,  the  shepherd  piping  shrill ! 
Driving  all  the  white  flocks  forth 
From  the  far  folds  of  the  North. 
Blow,  Wind,  blow  ; 

Weird  melodies  you  play, 

Following  your  flocks  that  go 

Across  the  world  to-day. 

How  they  hurry,  how  they  crowd 
When  they  hear  the  music  loud  ! 
Grove  and  lane  and  meadow  full 
Sparkle  with  their  shining  wool 
Blow,  Wind,  blow 

Until  the  forests  ring  : 
Teach  the  eaves  the  tunes  you  know, 
And  make  the  chimney  sing ! 

Hither,  thither,  up  and  down 
Every  highway  of  the  town, 
Huddling  close,  the  white  flocks  all 
Gather  at  the  shepherd's  call. 


ovnivau^ovm 
Dr 


DWVIN& 
FLOCKS 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  103 

Blow,  Wind,  blow 

Upon  your  pipes  of  joy  ; 
All  your  sheep  the  flakes  of  snow 

And  you  their  shepherd  boy ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE   RAIN-HARP 

WHEN  out-of-doors  is  full  of  rain, 
I  look  out  through  the  window-pane 
And  see  the  branches  of  the  trees 
Like  people  dancing  to  the  breeze. 

They  bow  politely,  cross,  and  meet, 
Salute  their  partners,  and  retreat, 
And  never  stop  to  rest  until 
They  reach  the  end  of  the  quadrille, 

I  listen,  and  I  hear  the  sound 
Of  music  floating  all  around, 
And  fancy  't  is  the  Breeze  who  plays 
Upon  his  harp  on  stormy  days. 

The  strings  are  made  of  rain,  and  when 
The  branches  wish  to  dance  again, 
They  whisper  to  the  Breeze,  and  he 
Begins  another  melody. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  105 

I  Ve  heard  him  play  the  pretty  things 
Upon  those  slender,  shining  strings ; 
And  when  he 's  done  —  he 's  very  sharp  — 
He  always  hides  away  the  harp. 


106  H1TLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


ELFIN   LAMPS 

WHY  all  the  stars  in  the  sky  are  so  bright, 
I  am  sure  no  one  knows  but  themselves 

up  there. 
Are  they  the  lamps  which  are  hung  out  at 

night 

For  the  fays  and  the  gnomes  and  the 
elves  up  there  ? 


THE  little  leaves  upon  the  trees 

Are  written  o'er  with  notes  and  words, 

The  pretty  madrigals  and  glees 
Sung  by  the  merry  minstrel  birds. 

Their  teacher  is  the  Wind,  I  know  ; 

For  while  they  're  busy  at  their  song, 
He  turns  the  music  quickly  so 

The  tune  may  smoothly  move  along. 


So  all  through  summer-time  they  sing, 
And  make  the  woods  and  meadows  sweet, 

And  teach  the  brooks,  soft  murmuring, 
Their  dainty  carols  to  repeat. 

And  when,  at  last,  their  lessons  done, 
The  winter  brings  a  frosty  day, 

Their  teacher  takes  them,  one  by  one, 
Their  music,  too,  and  goes  away. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


SHADOW  CHILDREN 

WHEN  the  sun  shines,  then  I  see 
Shadows  underneath  the  tree 
Gliding  merrily  around, 
Never  making  any  sound, 
Playing  at  their  games,  no  doubt,  — - 
Games  I  do  not  know  about. 

All  day  long  together  so 
Lightly  o'er  the  ground  they  go, 
Meet  and  separate  and  meet, 
Scamper  down  the  shadow  street, 
For  an  instant  here,  and  then 
Just  as  quickly  gone  again. 

When  with  clouds  the  skies  are  gray, 
In  their  house  the  shadows  stay, 
With  their  picture-books  and  toys, 
Like  all  other  girls  and  boys ; 
But  as  soon  as  shines  the  sun 
Out  of  doors  they  gladly  run. 


0  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

So  for  hours  they  play,  until 
Sinks  the  sun  behind  the  hill ; 
Then,  like  me,  they  go  to  bed, 
In  the  tree-house  overhead, 
And  the  winds  their  cradles  swing 
To  the  lullabies  they  sing. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


FAIRY  SHIPWRECK 

ONE  morning  when  the  rain  was  done, 

And  all  the  trees  adrip, 
I  found,  all  shining  in  the  sun, 

A  storm-wrecked  fairy  ship. 

Its  hull  was  fashioned  of  a  leaf, 

A  tiny  twig  its  mast, 
And  high  upon  a  green-branch  reef 

By  winds  it  had  been  cast. 

A  spider's  web,  the  fragile  sail, 
Now  flying  loose  and  torn, 

Once  spread  itself  to  catch  the  gale 
By  which  the  ship  was  borne. 

Its  voyages  at  last  were  o'er, 
And  gone  were  all  the  crew ; 

And  did  they  safely  get  ashore  ? 
Alas,  I  wish  I  knew  1 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


BEES 

BEES  don't  care  about  the  snow ; 
I  can  tell  you  why  that 's  so : 

Once  I  caught  a  little  bee 

Who  was  much  too  warm  for  me ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  113 


THE  WATERFALL 

TINKLE,  tinkle! 

Listen  well ! 

Like  a  fairy  silver  bell 

In  the  distance  ringing, 

Lightly  swinging 

In  the  air ; 

T  is  the  water  in  the  dell 

Where  the  elfin  minstrels  dwell, 

Falling  in  a  rainbow  sprinkle, 

Dropping  stars  that  brightly  twinkle. 

Bright  and  fair, 

On  the  darkling  pool  below, 

Making  music  so ; 

'T  is  the  water  elves  who  play 

On  their  lutes  of  spray. 

Tinkle,  tinkle  f 

Like  a  fairy  silver  bell  j 

Like  a  pebble  in  a  shell ; 

Tinkle,  tinkle  ! 

Listen  well ! 


U4  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


LULLABY 

SLUMBER,  slumber,  little  one,  now 
The  bird  is  asleep  in  his  nest  on  the  bough  ; 
The  bird  is  asleep,  he  has  folded  his  wings, 
And  over  him  softly  the  dream-fairy  sings : 
Lullaby,  lullaby  —  lullaby ! 
Pearls  in  the  deep  — 

Stars  in  the  sky, 
Dreams  in  our  sleep ; 
So  lullaby ! 

Slumber,  slumber,  little  one,  soon 

The  fairy  will  come  in  the  ship  of  the 

moon: 
The  fairy  will  come  with  the  pearls  and  the 

stars, 

And  dreams  will  come  singing  through 
shadowy  bars : 

Lullaby,  lullaby  —  lullaby ! 
Pearls  in  the  deep  — 

Stars  in  the  sky, 
Dreams  in  our  sleep ; 
So  lullaby ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  115 

Slumber,  slumber,  little  one,  so ; 
The  stars  are  the  pearls  that  the  dream- 
fairies  know, 
The  stars  are  the  pearls,  and  the  bird  in 

the  nest, 

A  dear  little  fellow  the  fairies  love  best : 
Lullaby,  lullaby  — lullaby! 
Pearls  in  the  deep  — 

Stars  in  the  sky, 
Dreams  in  our  sleep ; 
So  lullaby! 


utf  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


WINTER'S  ACROBATS 

BY  night  he  spread  his  white  rugs  down 
Upon  the  highways  of  the  town ; 

His  posters  on  the  fences  told 
Of  games  and  pleasures  manifold, 

And  promised  every  girl  and  boy 
A  day  of  undivided  joy, 

Of  merry  sport  and  healthy  fun, 
In  case  there  were  not  any  sun. 

The  gray  sky  was  his  spacious  tent, 
And  nearly  all  the  children  went. 

Some  took  their  sleds,  some  took  their 

skates, 
Some  took  themselves,  and  some  their 

mates. 

Then  all  day  long,  on  pond  and  hill, 
They  slid  and  coasted  with  a  will, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  itj 

And  built  snow  images  and  forts, 
And  played  at  all  their  jolly  sports. 

And  when  at  last  't  was  time  to  end 
The  happy  games  and  homeward  wend, 

They  cried,  while  tossing  high  their  hats, 
"  Three  cheers  for  Winter's  Acrobats  ! " 


Ii8  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


VACATION   SONG 

WHEN  study  and  school  are  over, 

How  jolly  it  is  to  be  free, 
Away  in  the  fields  of  clover, 

The  honey-sweet  haunts  of  the  bee ! 

Away  in  the  woods  to  ramble, 
Where,  merrily  all  day  long, 

The  birds  in  the  bush  and  bramble 
Are  filling  the  summer  with  song. 

Away  in  the  dewy  valley 

To  follow  the  murmuring  brook, 
Or  sit  on  its  bank  and  dally 

Awhile  with  a  line  and  a  hook. 

Away  from  the  stir  and  bustle, 
The  noise  of  the  town  left  behind : 

Vacation  for  sport  and  muscle, 
The  winter  for  study  and  mind. 

There 's  never  a  need  to  worry, 
There  's  never  a  lesson  to  learn, 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  119 

There 's  never  a  bell  to  hurry, 
There 's  never  a  duty  to  spurn. 

So  play  till  the  face  grows  ruddy 
And  muscles  grow  bigger,  and  then 

Go  back  to  the  books  and  study ; 
We  11  find  it  as  pleasant  again. 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE   SNOW-BIRD 

WHEN  all  the  ground  with  snow  is  white, 

The  merry  snow-bird  comes, 
And  hops  about  with  great  delight 

To  find  the  scattered  crumbs. 

How  glad  he  seems  to  get  to  eat 

A  piece  of  cake  or  bread  ! 
He  wears  no  shoes  upon  his  feet, 

Nor  hat  upon  his  head. 

But  happiest  is  he,  I  know, 

Because  no  cage  with  bars 
Keeps  him  from  walking  on  the  snow 

And  printing  it  with  stars. 


THE   FAIRIES'   DANCE 

ONCE  in  the  morning  when  the  breeze 

Set  all  the  leaves  astir, 
And  music  floated  from  the  trees 

As  from  a  dulcimer, 
I  saw  the  roses,  one  by  one, 

Bow  gracefully,  as  though 
A  fairy  dance  were  just  begun 

Upon  the  ground  below. 

The  lilies  white,  beside  the  walk, 

Like  ladies  fair  and  tall, 
Together  joined  in  whispered  talk 

About  the  fairies'  ball  ; 
The  slender  grasses  waved  along 

The  garden  path,  and  I 
Could  almost  hear  the  fairies'  song 

When  blew  the  light  wind  by. 

I  waited  there  till  noon  to  hear 

The  elfin  music  sweet  ; 
I  saw  the  servant  bees  appear 

In  golden  jackets  neat  ; 
And  though  I  wished  just  once  to  see 

The  happy  little  elves, 
They  were  so  much  afraid  of  me 

They  never  showed  themselves  ! 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE  ROSE'S  CUP 

DOWN  in  a  garden  olden,  — 

Just  where,  I  do  not  know,  — 
A  buttercup  all  golden 

Chanced  near  a  rose  to  grow ; 
And  every  morning  early, 

Before  the  birds  were  up, 
A  tiny  dewdrop  pearly 

Fell  in  this  little  cup. 

This  was  the  drink  of  water 

The  rose  had  every  day ; 
But  no  one  yet  has  caught  her 

While  drinking  in  this  way. 
Surely,  it  is  no  treason 

To  say  she  drinks  so  yet, 
For  that  may  be  the  reason 

Her  lips  with  dew  are  wet 


114  LITTLE^  FOLK  LYRICS 


THE  SNOW-WEAVER 

BACK  and  forth  the  shuttles  go 
Fashioning  the  cloth  of  snow, 
And  the  weaver  you  may  hear 
At  the  wind-loom  singing  clear : 

"Slumber,  little  flowers,  and  dream 
Of  the  silver-throated  stream, 
Shining  through  the  April  day 
As  it  were  a  music  ray 
Bearing  melody  along 
From  the  mellow  sun  of  song. 
Slumber,  little  fragrant  faces, 
Dreaming  in  your  quiet  places  ; 
Soon  the  dreams  shall  pass  — and  then 
You  and  Spring  shall  wake  again  !  " 

Thus  the  weaver  at  his  loom 
Sings  away  the  winter's  gloom, 
While  he  weaves  the  coverlet 
For  the  dreamers  who  forget : 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  125 

'Slumber,  litle  flowers,  and  dream 
Of  the  April  s  golden  beam 
Which  shall  come  and  fill  your  eyes 
With  the  sunlight  of  surprise  ; 
Waking,  you  shall  hear  once  more 
Song-birds  at  the  daybreak's  door. 
Slumber,  little  fragrant  faces, 
Dreaming  in  your  quiet  places. 
Soon  the  dreams  shall  pass  —  and  then 
Vou  and  Spring  shall  wake  again  I  " 


196  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE  STORY-TELLER 

THEY  gather  round  him,  one  and  all, 
A  group  of  happy  children  small ; 

Their  mouths  are  open  wide  ;  their  eyes 
Seem  almost  twice  their  normal  size ; 

Some  stand,  some  sit,  and  not  a  word 
From  any  one  of  them  is  heard. 

Now  all  is  ready  quite,  for  now 
The  story-teller  rubs  his  brow, 

And  questions  them  :  "  What  shall  it  be  ? 
A  fairy-tale  from  memory  ? 

"  Or  shall  I  tell  it  in  a  song, 
And  make  up  as  I  go  along  ? 

"Which  shall  it  be,  in  prose  or  rhyme, 
This  tale  of  once  upon  a  time  ? 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  127 

Or  will  you  have  a  story  true  ? 
Choose  anything  that  pleases  you." 

A  busy  hum  goes  round,  and  then 
The  voices  quickly  hush  again ; 

For  this  small  audience  knows  well 
That  any  story  he  may  tell, 

Or  any  song  that  he  may  sing, 
Will  be  a  most  delightful  thing. 

"  We  '11  let  you  choose,"  they  cry,  and  so 
He  tells  a  tale  of  long  ago. 

There  's  something  told  about  a  gem 
Set  in  a  Sultan's  diadem, 

Which  shone  in  such  a  brilliant  way 
It  changed  the  darkness  into  day. 

And  there 's  a  robber  and  a  lot 
Of  other  people  in  the  plot,  — 


138  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

A  prince,  a  princess,  and  a  page, 
A  parrot  in  a  golden  cage. 

And  there  's  the  palace  court-yard  where 
The  Sultan  walks  when  it  is  fair ; 

And  there  's  a  funny  dwarf  he  had 
To  cheer  him  up  when  he  was  sad. 

Of  course  the  robber  comes  to  grief 
The  gem  was  in  his  handkerchief : 

The  parrot  't  is  who  picked  it  up 
And  dropped  it  in  his  water  cup ; 

And  then  the  prince  the  parrot  bought, 
And  found  the  gem  the  Sultan  sought. 

So  runs  for  one  long  hour  the  tale, 
And  finds  the  robber  safe  in  jail. 

The  parrot  has  become  quite  tame, 
And  calls  the  princess  by  her  name ; 

The  page  has  had  his  pay  increased, 
Which  he  deserved,  to  say  the  least ; 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  129 

The  dwarf  —  the  Sultan's  merry  dwarf  — 
Has  been  presented  with  a  scarf, 

Whose  colors  made  the  Sultan  vext, 
And  that 's 

Contimied  in  the  next. 


I3o  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 


THE  RAINBOW 

AFTER  the  rain  goes  by, 
Curving  across  the  sky 
Behold  the  bow  of  light,  — 
God's  promise  shining  bright ! 
Under  this  glowing  arch 
The  myriad  mist-folk  march, 
And  yonder  —  lo,  the  Sun  ! 
Glistens  the  grass  once  more, 
The  birds  sing  at  the  door, 
Blue  the  sky  as  before, 
And  the  rain  is  done ! 

Slowly  the  meadow  mist 
Melts  into  amethyst ; 
Slowly  the  rainbow  fair 
Fades  in  the  amber  air  ; 
Wakes  in  the  west  a  breeze 
Whispering  through  the  trees 
The  secrets  of  the  Sun. 


I  ITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  131 

Gleams  like  a  gem  the  rose, 
Open  its  red  door  blows, 
Thither  the  glad  bee  goes, — 
And  the  rain  is  done  1 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 


THE   STORY   OF   OMAR 

LONG  centuries  ago,  three  Persian  boys, 
Thinking  upon  their  hopes  of  future  joys, 
Between  them — Omar,  Abdul,  and  Has- 
san— 
A  lasting  compact  made,  and  thus  it  ran  : 

Abdul  and  Omar  and  Hassdn.       These 

three, 

School-mates  and  friends,  do  solemnly  agree 
That  to  whichever  one  success  may  come,  — 
Honor  or  Wealth,  -7-  the  hand  of  Allah 

from, 

This  one  to  each  companion  dear  shall  make 
Some  worthy  offering  for  Friendship 's  sake. 

The  years  slipped  by,  and  when  good  for- 
tune came, 

It  brought  to  Abdul  honor,  wealth,  and 
fame  : 

Vizier  the  Sultan  made  him,  and  't  was  then 

He  thought  of  Omar  and  Hassan  again. 


LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS  133 

And  they,  't  is  said,  remembering  the  old 
Agreement,  came,  their  wishes  to  unfold. 

First  spoke  Hassan  :  "  Of  thee,  O  Friend, 

my  heart 
Would  crave  of  power  to  have  some  goodly 

part ! " 

But  Omar  said  to  Abdul :  "  It  were  well 
With  me,  O  Friend,  if  I  might  ever  dwell 
Within  the  shadow  of  thy  happiness, 
And  from  Life's  grape  the  wine  of  Wisdom 

press ! " 

To  each  was  granted  that  for  which  he 

prayed  ; 
The  vow  fulfilled,  the  promised  debt  was 

paid. 

But  soon  Hassan,  grown  greedier,  forgot 
His  love  for  Abdul,  and  began  to  plot 
Against  the  Sultan  and  the  kind  Vizier 
Whose  hand  had  helped  him  to  his  high 

career ; 

And  at  his  bidding  did  a  rascal's  knife 
Undo  the  thread  of  gracious  Abdul's  life. 


134  LITTLE-FOLK   LYRICS 

Now  Omar,  he  in  peace  and  comfort  sought 
Wisdom,  —  a  school-boy   still,   by  Allah 

taught ; 

Studied  the  course  of  planet  and  of  star, 
And  for  his  Sultan  made  the  Calendar  ; 
But  most  he  loved,  at  the  propitious  time, 
His  gathered  wisdom  to  record  in  rhyme. 

To-day,  of  all  these  three  't  is  he  alone 
Whose  name  is  honored  and  whose  work 

is  known. 

Modest  he  was,  and  being  modest,  wise ! 
Therein  the  moral  of  his  story  lies. 


WJI 


JTJMTSi 


urn  wmriTs  c 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  137 


THE  CHRISTMAS  CAT 

IT  was  the  middle  of  the  night 
When  Santa  Claus,  clad  all  in  white, 
Without  a  sign  of  any  noise 
Came  down  the  chimney  with  his  toys. 
A  host  of  pretty  gifts  he  had 
To  make  a  little  fellow  glad  — 
Playthings  of  every  kind  and  make 
To  please  him  when  he  should  awake. 
Among  them,  and  the  last  of  all, 
A  woolly  kitten,  fat  and  small, 
He  placed  upon  the  moonlit  floor 
Close  by  the  chamber's  open  door. 
Then  up  the  chimney  quick  he  sped 
And  jumped  into  his  snowy  sled, 
And  hurried  back  with  jingling  bells 
Unto  the  kingdom  where  he  dwells. 

No  sooner  had  he  gone  away 
When  in  came  Mouser,  grave  and  gray, 
A  sort  of  cat-folk  Santa  Claws, 
Soft  stepping  on  his  velvet  paws. 


138  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

And  there  before  his  very  eyes 

The  woolly  kitten,  half  his  size ! 

He  bowed  politely  to  his  friend  : 

"  A  cat,"  thought  he,  "  let  that  amend ! ' 

Then  pausing,  with  a  puzzled  look, 

A  survey  of  the  stranger  took,  — 

Saw  that  his  eyes  were  open  wide, 

His  tail  curled  neatly  at  his  side, 

His  whiskers  brushed,  all  smooth  his  fur,  • 

But  could  not  catch  his  gentle  purr. 

So  Mouser  deemed  it  wise  and  best 

To  speak,  and  thus  his  friend  addressed 

"  Friend  of  my  kindred  Catfolk,  here 

Accept  my  welcome  and  good  cheer. 

I  Ve  been  a  long  time  in  this  house 

The  sole  destroyer  of  the  mouse ; 

Yet  of  the  mice  enough  there  be 

To  satisfy  both  you  and  me, 

And  you  are  welcome  to  your  share 

So  long  as  there  are  mice  to  spare." 

The  woolly  kitten  silent  sat, 
Which  much  surprised  the  elder  cat 
Then  Mouser  bade  him  tell  his  name, 
How  old  he  was  and  whence  he  came ; 


LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS  S39 

And  getting  no  response  at  all, 
His  hopes  began  to  faint  and  fall ; 
Yet  once  again  he  spoke,  his  pride 
Too  great  to  let  him  be  denied 
Of  courtesy  and  proper  grace 
By  any  member  of  his  race. 

"Are  you,"  quoth  Mouser,  "  such  a  cat 
As  would  be  thought  aristocrat, 
Too  proud  and  prim  to  be  polite  ? 
To  meet  a  fellow-cat  at  night 
Halfway  is  what  I  wish  to  do, 
But  not  an  inch  will  venture  you. 
Know,  sir,  my  lineage  can  tell 
On  mother's  side,  a  Tortoise-shell, 
And  on  my  father's,  if  you  please, 
That  ancient  family  —  Maltese ! 
Our  coat-of-arms  is  of  the  best ; 
A  cat-o'-nine-tails  is  my  crest ! 
Speak  then,  if  you  can  boast  of  more, 
I  stand  here  ready  to  adore." 

But  never  once  the  stranger  stirred, 
Nor  answered  Mouser  with  a  word. 
So  all  his  friendship  spurned  at  last, 


140  LITTLE-FOLK  LYRICS 

Old  Mouser  from  the  chamber  passed ; 
With  bosom  filled  with  discontent, 
And  mood  unhappy,  out  he  went. 
"  I  've  seen  all  sorts  of  cats,"  said  he, 
"  And  cats  of  every  pedigree, 
But  until  now  I  Ve  never  come 
Across  a  kitten  deaf  and  dumb ! 
I  pity  him  in  this  old  house, 
He  '11  never  hear  a  single  mouse ! " 

But  when  the  Christmas  morning  broke, 
The  little  boy  from  dreams  awoke, 
And  first  of  all  his  gifts  was  this 
Strange  cat  who  could  n't  purr  or  siss ; 
He  loved  the  woolly  cat  because 
It  did  n't  scratch  him  with  its  claws. 


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